General Probate Process and Information

General Probate Process and Information

What to Do First

Collect Important Papers

You may have to search for some of them. Check file cabinets, desks, offices and even odd places – kitchen drawers, closet shelves and cartons tucked away in the garage. While it might be tempting to throw things out, in hopes of making the search less overwhelming – don’t. You can’t be sure what papers might prove to be important later on. It may be helpful to ask someone you trust to help you go through the deceased’s papers, if only for support during this painful task.

For access to other documents, you may need court permission. In some states, for example, safe deposit boxes are sealed when someone dies. If this happens, you will need a court order to have the contents released. Here’s a list of some of the documents you will need:

Copies of the Death Certificate

Generally, you need to provide a copy of the death certificate every time you make a claim for benefits. You can get certified copies of the death certificate through your funeral director or from the county health department. Most likely, there will be a charge for each certified copy. Obtain 10 to 12 copies initially, but you may need more later on.

Copies of all Insurance Policies

If you can’t find them, call your agent or contact the insurance company directly.

Copies of Your Marriage License

If you are the husband or wife of the deceased, you need a copy of your marriage certificate to apply for certain benefits. You can usually get copies from the county clerk where your marriage license was issued.

Copies of Children’s Birth Certificates

If the deceased had any dependent children, you’ll need to obtain their birth certificates to establish claims for certain Social Security benefits. Copies are available from the public health office of the state or county where the child was born.

The Will

The deceased’s lawyer may have the will. Or, it may be in a safe deposit box or filed with other personal papers. You need the original will, which is the one signed by the deceased and witnesses. Copies of wills are almost never acceptable.

A Copy of Veterans’ Discharge Papers

You will need a copy of a certificate of honorable discharge to claim any veterans’ benefits. The certificate should show the branch of service, dates of service and rank. If you can’t find a copy of the discharge, you may obtain one by completing Standard Form 180 (SF180). You can complete this form online at www.archives.gov/veterans/evetrecs/ and clicking “Request Military Records.”

Alternatively, you may call (314) 801-0800, fax (314) 801-9195, or write to request Standard Form 180. Written requests should be directed to the National Personnel Records Center (Military), 9700 Page Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63132-5100.

Any property whose title is in the names of both the deceased and another person as joint tenants with right of survivorship automatically passes to the co-owner.

You should also have available your own Social Security number, as well as the Social Security numbers of the deceased, the spouse (if other than yourself) and any dependent children. Look for the numbers you need on past tax returns, in employment records or with other personal papers.

Keep all documents organized, perhaps by filing each in a separate manila folder. If you are concerned that any documents will get lost, make copies. You should also keep all incoming mail so bills and checks won’t get lost. Don’t throw anything away until you have a chance to go through it. Be on guard for unordered merchandise or bills for services never performed. Some scam artists take advantage of the recently bereaved in the hope that they will pay phony bills without investigating. It’s a good idea to ask for itemized bills from doctors and lawyers. Avoid accepting bills “For Services Rendered” only.

Remember that this is an emotional time when your concentration and memory may not be at their best. Keep records of all outgoing mail, particularly if it’s business related.

Within the First Month

Choose an Attorney

A good probate lawyer can solve many problems and handle many headaches more easily than you can alone. A probate lawyer can answer such questions as:

My husband’s safe deposit box is in his name only. How do I get our property out of it?

Do I owe any state or inheritance tax?

What rights do creditors have to the estate of the deceased?

In general, the more complicated the estate, the higher the lawyer’s fees. However, the long-term savings and peace of mind that a good probate lawyer will provide may be worth the expense.

Consider the Will

If there is a will, the deceased’s lawyer, your lawyer or you should file a petition with a local probate court to admit the will to probate. “Probate,” the legal process of proving the validity of a will before an estate can be distributed to the rightful heirs, involves the court appointing an executor or personal representative of the estate. The executor – who is almost always named in the will -oversees the distribution of the deceased’s assets, pays any debts or taxes, and complies with any legal and accounting requirements.

Not all assets need to pass through probate. For example, any property whose title is in the names of both the deceased and another person as joint tenants with right of survivorship automatically passes to the co-owner. Proceeds from life insurance policies, retirement annuities, Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), etc., are paid directly to beneficiaries once paperwork is complete.

Dying without leaving a will is called dying “intestate.” Here the estate is distributed according to state law. Your local probate court should be able to explain the necessary procedures. If there is no will, or if the original will can’t be found, a lawyer’s help may be invaluable.

Apply for Benefits

You can claim survivor benefits directly or through a lawyer. In some states, the probate attorney receives a percentage of the value of an estate to settle all claims.

You can decide to have your lawyer submit all claims for you. But, if not, how would you approach applying for benefits due you?

Life Insurance

You should be aware of the four types of life insurance available when assessing the deceased’s coverage, if any. The first is individually purchased life insurance. Perhaps you will find individual policies among the deceased’s papers. If not, look in his or her checkbook and/or refer to old paycheck stubs for premiums to any insurance companies. Once you know whether individual policies are in force, you can either call the life insurance companies for instructions or write a letter requesting payment of benefits.

The person who has died may have also been covered under a group life insurance policy, especially if he or she was employed at the time of death. Contact the employer’s benefits office to determine if such coverage was provided.

In addition, the deceased may have been insured under one or more association policies. These are usually group policies yielding modest benefits, provided through membership in “affinity groups” or professional associations. If you know the deceased belonged to any professional association or group, contact a representative to ask whether life insurance is offered to its members.

Credit life insurance is a fourth kind of life insurance. It is often used to pay off outstanding debts if the policyholder dies. There are two types of credit life insurance: mortgage insurance and credit card insurance. Insurance proceeds can be paid to the beneficiaries in several ways. No one payment method is best for everyone. If you are entitled to benefits, be sure to discuss your options with an insurance agent or representative, financial advisor or lawyer.

Retirement Plans

If the person who has died worked for any length of time for a single employer, death benefits may be available under a company pension or annuity plan. If the employer was a state college or university, benefits may be payable through the state retirement system. Pension benefits earned through the federal government often carry survivor pension benefits, too. Check with any current and previous employers as the eligibility conditions necessary for survivor benefits may differ from employer to employer.

If you’re the beneficiary of both life insurance and retirement plan assets, it may be a good idea to claim the insurance benefits first. The payment choices and benefits processing are usually simpler with insurance, as are the tax requirements. With both life insurance and retirement plan benefits, you may need to make decisions on how you want your benefits paid. You should take into account your immediate and long-term financial situation, tax liabilities and other factors.

Veterans’ Benefits

There are several different types of veterans’ benefits. Veterans are entitled to free burial in a national cemetery. If they were receiving veterans’ benefits at the time of death, they may qualify for a contribution toward their burial in a private cemetery. Grave markers are available free of charge. Other benefits may include educational assistance and medical care for dependents. You can obtain information on veterans’ benefits, including a listing of national cemeteries by state, at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website, or by calling (800) 827-1000.

To apply for benefits, contact your local VA office (you can’t apply online). The VA will send you instructions and forms. You’ll need:

A certified copy of the death certificate

A copy of a certificate of honorable discharge

Your marriage certificate (if the deceased was your husband or wife)

The birth certificates of any dependent children

All relevant Social Security numbers

Other Employee Benefits

If the deceased was employed at the time of death, you should contact the employer. In addition to life insurance, the employer may have provided health or accident insurance. In some cases, an employee’s health insurance can be continued for a surviving spouse or dependent children. Also ask the employer about any payment due for unused vacation or sick leave. If the deceased wasn’t employed, you may still want to contact previous employers to check if you’re entitled to any benefits. Ask if the deceased belonged to any unions or professional organizations that may offer death benefits for their members.

Social Security

If the person who has died contributed to Social Security for the required period of time, you may be eligible for survivor benefits, usually as a spouse or dependent child.

Payment of Social Security survivor benefits is not automatic. You must file a claim. Call Social Security at 1 800 772-1213 to find out if the deceased was covered and to discuss possible benefits. One of the online calculators found on the Social Security Administration website may also provide helpful information. (Type “calculator” in the Search box.)

Also consider making an appointment at the nearest Social Security office, so you’ll have enough time to address all your questions. It’s helpful to ask for the name and specific phone number of the Social Security representative in case you have to reschedule or have other questions later. You can find your local Social Security office listed in the phone book, usually in the U.S. Government section under “Health and Human Services.”

When applying for Social Security survivor benefits, bring the following documents:

Death certificate

Proof of age (such as birth certificates) for you and that of any other beneficiary(ies)

Proof of your and the beneficiaries’ relationships to the deceased (for a spouse, the marriage certificate; for children, birth certificates or adoption papers)

Social Security numbers of all concerned

W-2 forms of the deceased for the past two years to help Social Security compute your benefits

During The First THREE Months
Change Title or Ownership

After a death, you may need to transfer ownership or change the title on property, or modify documents.

Your House

If you owned a house with the deceased and there is a mortgage outstanding, you’re now responsible for that debt. It may well be your largest single personal obligation. If there is mortgage insurance on the loan (a type of credit life insurance), your house will continue to be paid for. All or part of the outstanding balance may be payable by the insurance. When you advise your creditors of the death, they should be able to tell you if credit life insurance is in force.

Insurance Policies

Check your own insurance policies to see if your beneficiary designations should be updated. Evaluate your coverage to determine if you may need less or more, depending in part on whether you have dependents. Consider whether you need to purchase your own or additional health insurance.

Automobiles

You will need to change the title of any cars owned by the deceased. Your state’s department of motor vehicles can tell you what needs to be done to change a title. You may also need to change the name on the policy of your automobile insurance.

Your Will

In your own will, you may have left property to the deceased. If so, your will should be updated.

Credit Cards

Cancel credit cards held exclusively in the name of the deceased. If there are outstanding balances, the bills should be paid by the estate. In some cases, credit card accounts are insured, and any balance at the death of the holder will be paid automatically upon notification of the death.

If you’re the spouse of the deceased, you may have credit cards in both your names. You should notify the credit card companies that your spouse has died and the card should list your name only. Continue making payments in the meantime to keep your own good credit rating. When applying for new cards, be sure to tell the lender about credit cards you shared with your spouse.

Bank Accounts

If you had a joint bank account (savings, checking, CD, etc.) with the deceased, it will usually pass to you automatically. Speak with a bank representative to see about changing the title and signature card on the account. You may need to show a death certificate to do this. In some states, joint accounts are frozen upon notification of a death. Check with the bank to learn how to have your funds released. Bank accounts that were solely in the name of the deceased will need to go through probate.

Stocks, Bonds and Other Investments

Ownership changes for these investments will depend upon how the original account was registered. If your investments were registered jointly with the deceased and the ownership passes directly to you, your stockbroker or investment company should be contacted to change the title on stocks, bonds, mutual funds, etc. Some joint registrations do not pass ownership directly to the joint holder. Again, check with your stockbroker or investment company on how the account registration is treated when one owner is deceased and for requirements on re-registering the account title. If the account was registered as Transfer on Death, the title can be changed to the appropriate beneficiary. If the deceased owned the investment account(s) in his or her name only, the account will go through the probate process. In all cases, the broker or financial institution will usually request copies of the death certificate.

Safe Deposit Box

You’ll need a court order to open any safe deposit box rented only in the name of the deceased. Until the will has been probated, only the will, life insurance policies or other documents relating to the death can be removed from the safe deposit box.

Complete Notifications

The funeral home or memorial service firm will usually prepare an obituary and submit it to local newspapers. You might want to think about others who should know about the death. Consider notifications to alumni groups, professional organizations, societies and any other groups to which the deceased person belonged.

Three to Six Months

Consider Hiring an Accountant

Depending on how involved you’ll be with settling the estate, you may want to find a tax accountant to help you coordinate your efforts with your attorney.

For the year in which the death occurs, the deceased person’s income taxes will be due on the normal filing date of the next year. Of course, you can easily request an extension, which will be granted automatically. If you’re the husband or wife of the deceased, you can still file a joint return for the year of death. Furthermore, if you have dependent children, you can file a joint return for two more years.

According to Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations, you may need to file a federal estate tax return (Form 706 from the IRS) within nine months of the death. Currently*, estate taxes are due only on estates valued at $2,000,000 or more. Special deductions are available for spouses. Your attorney or a tax accountant can guide you in preparing tax forms and give you valuable information on your state’s estate tax, inheritance or gift tax, and fiduciary income tax, if applicable.

Review Your Finances

The following is meant mainly for spouses, but it can also apply to anyone whose financial resources were supplemented by the deceased.

Once you’ve applied for benefits and have some idea of your financial position, you can start planning for the future. First, review your cash flow. Take a look at how much money is coming in each month and how much money is flowing out to meet expenses. From this, you can put together a short-term budget. If your monthly expenses are greater than your income, look for ways to cut spending or for possibilities to boost your income. If your monthly income exceeds your expenses, you can consider additional savings or investments for your future. Of course, this is a very basic approach to taking stock of your finances. There’s no formula we can provide here that will yield a perfect plan for everyone. The idea is to face your finances, realizing that expenses go on and must be met.

*The personal exemption amount, currently $2,000,000, is scheduled to increase to $3,500,000 by 2009, disappear in 2010, and then come back to the 2002 limit of $1,000,000 in 2011, provided Congress does not act to change it.

By Month Nine

Complete Estate Settlement

Perhaps you won’t be involved in settling an estate. However, if you are involved, there are usually only a few details left by the ninth month after the death. The most important is to file and pay estate and gift taxes, if required.

The Future

Right now, the future may seem very far away. When you’re grieving, feeling emotionally off balance, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed by practical matters that need attention. Try to take things one step at a time. Focus on what needs to be done right away, today; and then tomorrow; and then the day after. Before too long, the list of things to do will look more and more manageable.

While we’ve tried to address most of what needs to be done after a loved one dies, many situations will be unique. For more detailed guidance on what to do after a death, you may want to seek legal or other professional advice.